Prediction: Red Cross Donation's Will Fall Short of Expectations

I have learned, over the years, that when I feel a certain way about something, I am usually not alone. In other words, if I express my opinion about something, there will be other people nodding their heads in agreement with me. I have found this to be true regarding my feeling toward the American Red Cross.

What could I be talking about? Although the Red Cross volunteers play a wonderful, and vital role during disasters such as this, I am not one to forget about being hoodwinked by the leadership of an association that is supposed to be a shining example of generosity. I, as do many of my friends and aquaintences remember how the American Red Cross handled the millions and millions of dollars it received for 9/11 victims. I remember hearing stories about how the American Red Cross was holding out on people. Now, I’m not saying I remember specific cases, I am saying, however, that the disdain I felt for that bureaucracy has not been forgotten by neither myself, nor many of my friends who heard the same stories.

My friend’s and I do not want to give cash donations to the Red Cross. Instead we will go out and buy stuff, then drop it off at donation points. Any Cash donations that we do make will be made to the Salvation Army.

In Farmerville Louisiana, over 300 refugees were allowed into a shelter which the American Red Cross refused to service. The Mayor of that town told the Red Cross not to worry about it, that the people of Farmerville would take care of those refugees themselves.

There was a news conference televised on our local CBS affiliate. Sitting there in all her pompus glory was Anne Patten, the Northeast Louisiana executive director
of the American Red Cross, who was only too eager to pass the buck when asked why she didn’t request a shelter in Caldwell parish. She told the reporter, “FEMA didn’t make a request for it”.

In a trying time such as this, when many rules are being bent, and many laws are being relaxed I would think that a leader would take charge, open the much needed shelter and dispense with the bureaucratic hogwash! I’m not alone in my assessment of the Red Cross. Ask around and I’m sure you’ll hear the same thing from others.